Irma Lee Hail Stierwalt

Irma's Story

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TAHLEQUAH – Funeral services for Irma Lee Hail Stierwalt will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday June 30, at the First Christian Church in Tahlequah with Rev. Darell Christopher officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery under the care and direction of Hart Funeral Home of Tahlequah. Sign the online guestbook at www.hartfuneralhome.net. Irma Lee Hail Stierwalt, daughter of W.L. Hail and Algia Davidson Hail was born Aug. 26, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kan. She passed from this life on June 26, 2015, at the age of 90 years, and 10 months. After living in eastern Oklahoma for a number of years, including two years on an Osage Indian Reservation, the family moved near Chelsea. Irma Lee finished her schooling at Chelsea, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. After high school, Irma Lee attended Northeastern State University where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She received her doctorate at Oklahoma State University, and also attended the University of Arkansas, University of Wyoming, and Montana State University. She is a CPA, earning honorable mention when she tested. During her college years she was a member of Rho Theta Sigma, Alpha Chi, and Delta Pi Epsilon honorary scholastic fraternities, and Alpha Sigma Alpha social sorority. After graduation, she worked at NSU in the registrar’s office for several years and then as an emeritus professor. At the age of 15, Irma met the love of her life, Floyd Harrison Stierwalt. They were married Feb. 22, 1944, and had 67 wonderful years together. They had three children: Steve, Chuck, and Stacy. Irma Lee was very active in her church, the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tahlequah. Some of her roles in the church were singing in the choir for many years, active in CWF, one of the first female Elders, chairman of the building committee, trustee, Sunday school teacher, and VBS helper. She loved barbershop music, and was a member of the Heart of the Hills Sweet Adeline Chorus in Tahlequah for many years. After retirement, she and Floyd worked at the CARE food pantry for many years. They also enjoyed traveling as much as possible and loved spending time with their family. Irma Lee was preceded in death by her parents; brother, W.L. Hail, Jr.; sister, Thelma Gillett; son, Stephen Hail Stierwalt, Sr.; and loving husband, Floyd Harrison Stierwalt. She is survived by her son, Charles Harrison Stierwalt, II and wife Cherie of Broken Arrow; daughter, Stacy Lynn Cochran, of Coweta; and grandchildren, Stephen Hail Stierwalt, Jr., and wife Lisa of Peach Tree City, Ga., Kerri LeAnne Dry and husband Jesse, of Tahlequah, Justin Tyler Cochran and wife Erin, of Broken Arrow, Ronald Stierwalt, Tiffany Lee Stierwalt and Sarah Elizabeth Stierwalt of Coweta. Also, great-grandchildren, Christian, Analise, and Kinsey Stierwalt of Peach Tree City, Ga., and Landon Dry of Tahlequah; as well as nieces, nephews and many friends. Hart Funeral Home, 1506 N. Grand, 918-456-8823.